St. Patrick's Bazaar to offer taste Ireland PASADENA

NEIGHBORS

Lovers of shamrocks, blarney and all things green won't have to travel outside the immediate area to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

We have a local event that's practically an institution with Riviera Beach families: St. Jane Frances' 43rd annual St. Patrick's Bazaar.

The school hall on St. Jane Drive will be transformed into the Emerald Isle from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. March 12. Admission is free.

Those who have attended the bazaar faithfully will notice a few changes this year. After all, what doesn't change after 43 years? But green is still the color, and loads of fun is still the goal for lucky lads and lassies as long as the green cash holds out.

For the wee folk, there will be balloons, clowns, face painting, a duck pond, games of skill and chance and grab bags filled with goodies. After 5 p.m., the bazaar changes to appeal to a more mature crowd, with three rooms filled with games for youngsters and teens to test their luck.

Sister Mary's Country Cupboard will make its first appearance at the bazaar this year. It will be a shopper's delight, filled with handmade crafts, gifts, decorative items, baked goods and other foods, all sold at reasonable prices. Loads of hand-crafted items for children will be sold in the Kiddie Kraft area.

Several raffles, including the "Winning of the Green" raffle with cash prizes of $500, $250 and $150 will tempt those feeling lucky.

Volunteers will gather next week to begin picking piles of crab meat, preparing to turn those luscious lumps into taste-tempting crab cakes and crab soup for hungry visitors. The menu also will feature tuna salad, cole slaw, pizza, hot dogs and sodas. Irish coffee and beer will be available in the evening.

"We're combining the best efforts of our parents, students and parish members to make this fund-raiser a big success for our school," veteran chairwoman Kathy Dungan said.

For more details, call 255-4750.

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The work of young, talented Pasadena student artists will be on display next week at the annual Student Art Show sponsored by the Chesapeake Women's Club at Chesapeake High School.

John Habercam, art teacher and exhibition coordinator, said this year's show will feature more than 50 items. Work by students from Northeast and Chesapeake high schools and Chesapeake Bay and George Fox middle schools will be displayed in the CHS media center through March 11.

Judges will select the first- and second-place winners for the high schools and middle schools. Cash prizes will be awarded.

The first-place entries will be entered in the art competition sponsored by the Southern District of the Maryland Federation of Women's Clubs. The winners of that competition will compete against other young Maryland artists at the MFWC annual convention.

L The show is free and open to the public during school hours.

For more details, call the school at 255-9600.

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Turning in cash register tapes for computers is an old standby at area schools, but parents at Bodkin Elementary have developed an idea to raise the extra money needed to equip the school's computer lab.

At 7:30 p.m. March 26, Otis Stroup and Company will present "A Night of Musical Entertainment" benefit concert at the school, 8320 Ventnor Road.

Tickets are $5 in advance, $6 at the door. A reception will follow.

Stroup, a native son, may be familiar to diners at Alberto's Restaurant, where he plays piano. He's a composer and specializes in jazz.

Stroup has recruited the talents of local singers Tony Calabrese, Karen Stroup and dancers Kelly and Jody Adleberg from Reisterstown. Bruce and Scott Carter will provide the backup bass and drums.

To order tickets, call the school at 437-0464.

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Rockview Beach Improvement Association is sponsoring dinner and bingo on March 28, at its community hall on East and Edna roads.

The doors will open at noon with bingo starting at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20 each and include a chicken dinner, eight hard cards and a pack of specials with a $150 guaranteed jackpot. Free coffee and sodas will be served.

Reservations are required.

Call 255-1105 for more details.

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Tomorrow's the last date to order Florida citrus from the East Anne Arundel Lions Club. The delivery date is March 13 at Northeast High School.

The Lions are accepting case and half-case orders for temple oranges and red ruby grapefruit.

To place your order, call 255-7202 or 255-1783.

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Stoney Creek Democratic Club will have its monthly open house at 8 p.m. Wednesday,

Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Frank Weathersbee will speak.

The meeting, at the clubhouse at 8123 Fort Smallwood Road, is open to the public.

Refreshments will be served.

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The Jacobsville Elementary PTA will discuss latchkey kids and the DARE drug education program at its meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the school.

A film offering safety hints and tips for parents and children left home alone will be shown.

Afterward, county police Officer Tony Werner will lead a discussion and explain the DARE program.